The thyroid is a gland – an organ that is considered part of the endocrine, or hormone, system. It is located in the anterior-lower neck below the Adam’s apple. It is shaped like a butterfly and consist of two “wings” (right and the left lobe) joint by a piece of tissue called the Isthmus. Sometimes, there is also a third piece – pyramid which is located on the front wall of the upper trachea. The thyroid gland weighs from 15 to 30 grams, it can grow and change during pregnancy, and depending on the menstrual cycle.
Thyroid Hormones
The thyroid’s main purpose is to produce thyroid hormones. Thyroid tissue is composed of follicular cells, which secrete the iodine-containing hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), and parafollicular cells (C), which secrete the hormone calcitonin. Calcitonin helps to regulate calcium level in the body.
The thyroxine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3) hormones travel through the bloodstream to all the other tissues and organs to regulate the rate of all the body’s internal process. By 1 g of thyroid tissue flow within 1 minute about 5 liters of blood. It regulates your body’s metabolic functions such as heat generation, and the utilization of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. In children, thyroid hormones are responsible for growth and development.
Thyroid function
The function of the thyroid gland is to take iodine, found in many foods, and convert it into thyroid hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
Those hormones are responsible for :
* stimulates growth and development in children
* regulates metabolism (conversion of oxygen and calories to energy)
* helps absorption of calcium, phosphorus and protein (leads to healthy, strong bones)
* thanks to calcitonin – prevents from osteoporosis
* stimulates the growth of the central nervous system and skeletal system
* stimulates the transport of water in the body (it helps to maintain skin firmness)
* plays an important role in the efficiency of the body and keeps its vitality
* regulates the work of digestive system, heart, muscles and nervous system
* Stimulates the absorption of carbohydrates,
The thyroid gland is under control of the pituitary gland, a small gland the size of a peanut located at the base of the brain. As soon as the level of thyroid hormones (T3 & T4) drops too low, the pituitary gland produces Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) which stimulates the thyroid gland to produce more hormones. Under the influence of TSH, the thyroid will manufacture and secrete T3 and T4 thereby raising their blood levels. In other words, we could describe the thyroid gland as a heating system and the pituitary gland as the thermostat. Thyroid hormones are like heat. When the heat gets back to the thermostat, it turns the thermostat off. As the room cools (the thyroid hormone levels drop), the thermostat turns back on (TSH increases) and the heating system produces more heat (thyroid hormones).
The pituitary gland itself is regulated by another gland, known as the hypothalamus which is a part of the brain and produces TSH Releasing Hormone (TRH) which tells the pituitary gland to stimulate the thyroid gland (release TSH). In other words, the hypothalamus is the person who regulates the thermostat. It tells the pituitary gland at what level the thyroid should be set.
Disorders of the thyroid gland
The function of the thyroid gland is controlled by both the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus, so thyroid disorders may be due not only to defects in the gland itself, but also to disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary hormonal control system. Disorders of the thyroid gland may cause overproduction of thyroid hormones Hyperthyroidism, underproduction of these hormones Hypothyroidism, or enlargement or distortion of the gland.
Myxoedema, Graves’ disease, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are common disorders.
Goitre (enlargement of the thyroid gland) may sometimes occur with no accompanying abnormality of thyroid function.
Hyperthyroidism
Production of excess thyroid hormones by an overactive thyroid gland. Early signs of the condition include weight loss, increased appetite, intolerance to heat and increased sweating: there may also be tremors and a rapid heart rate.
The most common form of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease, which is an autoimmune disorder. The body’s immune system produces antibodies that attack the thyroid gland.
In severe cases of hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland is often enlarged, causing a visible swelling (by toxic goitre) in the neck, and there tends to be physical and mental hyperactivity and muscle wasting. In people with Graves’ disease overactivity of the thyroid may cause swelling of the tissues around one or both eyes, resulting in a staring appearance.
Hypothyroidism
The underproduction of thyroid hormones due to underactivity of the thyroid gland. These hormones are important in metabolism and a deficiency therefore causes many of the body’s function to slow down. Most cases of hypothyroidism are caused by an autoimmune disorder such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Hypothyroidism may also result from removal of part of thyroid gland to treat hyperthyroidism . In rare cases, babies are born with an underactive thyroid gland.
In adults, symptoms include tiredness, lethargy, cold intolerance, muscle weakness, cramps, a slow heart rate, dry skin, hair loss, constipation, a deep and husky voice and a weight gain.
Women can also experience heavy menstrual periods.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis as an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system produces antibodies against its own thyroid gland cells. As a result, the thyroid gland cannot produce enough thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism). Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is eight times more common in women than men. The main symptoms are tiredness, muscle weakness, and weight gain, and the thyroid gland becomes enlarged (goitre).
Congenital disorders
In rare cases, the thyroid gland is absent at birth, producing cretinism. However congenital thyroid deficiency more often takes the form of underdevelopement or maldevelopement, in which there is some thyroid tissue but not enough to secrete normal amounts of hormones. A blood test is performed on newborns to screen for hypothyroidism. Sometimes the thyroid develops in an abnormal position in the neck, causing difficulty swallowing or breathing.
Genetic disorders
Rarely, genetic disorders may impair the thyroid’s ability to make hormones. The low blood levels of thyroid hormones results in greatly increased secretion by the pituitary gland of thyroid – stimulating hormone TSH and in turn this causes the thyroid enlarge.
Infection
Thyroid infection is usually uncommon and it leads to condition called thyroiditis. Viral infection can cause an extremely painful gland and temporary hyperthyroidism.
Myxoedema
This condition is caused by deficiency of thyroid hormone, which may occur for a variety of reasons. When myxodema occurs the skin becomes dry and thickened and facial features become coarse. Other common symptoms are cold intolerance, constipation and fatigue.
Iodine deficiency
Iodine is necessary for the production of thyroid hormone. Its deficiency may lead to goitre or myxodema in children.
Hormonal disorders
Hormonal changes during puberty or pregnancy may cause a degree of goitre temporarily. Hyperthyroidism due to excessive production of TSH by the pituitary gland is rare but it may result from a pituitary tumour.
Tumours
Thyroid tumours may be either cancerous or noncancerous. Thyroid adenomas are noncancerous tumours that may secrete thyroid hormone, occasionally in large enough amounts to cause hyperthyroidism.
Thyroid cancers are relatively rare. They may be suspected if a single firm or hard lump can be felt in the gland. In most cases the cause is unknown, although exposure to radioactive fallout increases the risk of the condition.
There are several types, depending on the cells involved. In all types, the first sign is a firm nodule in the neck, which may grow slowly or rapidly. Nodule doesn’t have to be indicated as a cancer. About 10% of thyroid tumours are cancerous. Symptoms of thyroid cancer are : difficulty with swallowing, and hoarseness or loss of voice (only develop when the tumour presses on other structure).
Hyperthyroidism diet
Treatment of hyperthyroidism involves application of drugs that inhibit thyroid function. Treatment depends on the degree of hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism causes an acceleration of metabolism, weight loss and hyperactivity. This cause accelerate aging process due to increased energy consumption. The diet should provide an increased amount of energy to compensate rapid metabolism.
What should we eat?
* more protein (fish, veal)
* comprise the deficiency of vitamins A (Beta Carotene), B, C, and minerals – especially calcium
* at a very low weight loss increase the calorific value meal
* increase the supply of unsaturated fatty acids (vegetable oils- Evening Primrose Oil)
* reduce the fiber, thus it reduces the absorption of vitamins and cause diarrhea
* avoid or limit raw and puffed vegetables,
* during acute hyperthyroidism try to eat the products easy to digest,
* use mild spices, limit stimulant seasonings such chili hot pepper
* avoid sweets,
* reduce strong coffee, tea,
* reduce action that speeds up heart rate, stimulates the circulatory and nervous systems.
Hypothyroidism diet
As we know, the thyroid gland produces hormones responsible for regulating metabolism. Therefore their deficiency causes slow metabolism. How to deal with it and, above all, help your body, feel better and live a normal life?
Most people with this disease has no desire for anything and is always tired!
The thyroid gland like iodine!
….. And needs it! The T3 hormone (Thyroxine) – stronger hormone, has 65% iodine, while T4 – 59% iodine. Iodine has a huge impact on the metabolism!
If you have iodine deficiency, you need to be supplemented in the form of iodine, such as inhaled or straight from the sea (in marine algae or seafood). Most iodine is in the cod, salmon. Herring has it three times less than cod.
Where else we can find iodine?
* fruits and vegetables – a negligible amount though – depends on soil
* milk, cheese
* iodized salt,
* some mineral water
* Spirulina Max
* Ocean 21
What should we avoid?
* reduce peanuts and mustard
* Raw vegetables such as cabbage, Brussels sprouts, turnips, cauliflower, soybeans, turnips reduce iodine intake.